July 20, 2021
Nanango’s Michael English will be representing Queensland at the Poultry Young Judges national final at next month’s Brisbane Exhibition.
Michael, 17, will be competing against other young judges from NSW, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania.
The national competition, organised by Agricultural Shows of Australia (ASA), is run alongside the better-known Young Judges and Paraders competitions for beef and dairy cattle.
Michael might be the youngest of the finalists but he has plenty of experience.
This isn’t the first time he has entered the Ekka competition and he regularly judges poultry on the show circuit.
The other competitors in the prestigious annual competition are:
- Thomas Spencer, 19, of Bullsbrook, Western Australia
- Olivia Broughton, 19, Camden, NSW
- Emmeline Vivian, 23, of Cowirra, South Australia
- Georgia Weavell, 26, of Campania, Tasmania
Queensland Ag Shows president Kerri Robertson said the poultry judging competition entrants would use their skills to adjudicate the placings of the birds and then must explain their approach.
The competitors’ oral presentation in combination with their judging results determines the winner.
Agricultural Shows of Australia is the peak body which oversees Australia’s 572 agricultural shows.
Chairman Dr Rob Wilson said the national competitions were designed to recognise the best new talent in judging and presenting nationwide.
“It is an extremely prestigious event and positions at the nationals are keenly contested,” Dr Wilson said.
“These young people are the future of agricultural show competitions which are crucial to the continual improvement of Australia’s food and fibre.
The national competition is a coveted opportunity to grow personally and professionally by practising skills against the cream of the crop.”
